Agonising hip replacement delays exposed as Brits go private | Politics | News
As nearly 45,000 people languish on NHS waiting lists for hip replacements, Britons are turning to private healthcare to escape the pain. Research shows that many people are still waiting more than a year to get the treatment they need.
There were a total of 30,460 patients in the NHS queue for a new hip in England at the end of March, with the average waiting time being 34 weeks. The number on the list is up from 29,776 last year.
The government insists “no one should be forced to go to the private sector for healthcare”, but Britons looking to get on with their lives are digging into their savings. 8,537 people awaiting treatment in Scotland; The average time from referral to treatment is approximately 39 weeks (270 days).
Waits are particularly severe for patients in Wales. At Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which serves Newport, Monmouth, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and South Powys, the average waiting time for patients last year was 76 weeks. This is down from 86 weeks in the previous 12 months, but up from 68 weeks in 2023-24.
At last count, a total of 1,657 people were on the list. The board announced that last year, 55 patients were removed from the waiting list after being transferred to private care.
Companies now offer services to help people have affordable private surgeries at hospitals abroad.
Sara Gezdari, of My Medical Gateway, which helps people get treatment in Europe, said: “Many people join NHS waiting lists after spending months or years trying to manage their condition through physiotherapy, painkillers, injections and lifestyle changes. By the time surgery is recommended, they are often already struggling. The true impact of the wait is not measured in weeks, but in the reduced quality of life due to increased pain levels, sleep disruption, reduced mobility and more. The longer treatment is delayed, the greater the risk” these effects become established. It’s coming.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “No one should be forced to go to the private sector for healthcare. We have reduced the overall waiting list by 340,000 since July 2024 and more people are receiving hip replacements and similar treatments within 18 weeks of being referred. We know there is more work to do, but by using record funding and cutting-edge technology we will ensure people have access to safe, timely care and free of charge at the point of use.”
But Ms Gezdari said: “The impact of delayed hip replacement surgery extends far beyond healthcare. Many patients continue to work despite severe symptoms. As pain worsens, productivity often falls. Some reduce working hours. Some leave work altogether. The consequences can be particularly significant for self-employed people who depend on physical mobility to make a living. At a national level, delayed treatment contributes to loss of productivity, increased welfare costs and increased demand for social care services. At an individual level, the financial impact can be life-changing.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Stuart Andrew said: “Two years is a long time to wait for hip replacement surgery. Tens of thousands of people are suffering because of these delays. Labor’s weakness in the face of doctors’ strikes has compounded the problem. The Government must grasp this and ensure the backlog is cleared before it gets any bigger.”
